The Athabasca Trappers' squirts-level softball team hosted a game against Barrhead June 14 at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex, and it was not at all the result they had hoped for.
Throughout the four innings of play, they only managed to score five runs, as Barrhead crushed the team by a score of 18-5.
But even still, head coach Ida deChamplain said they still had a lot of fun.
"The girls hit very well after they had got over their nerves in the first few innings," said deChamplain. "They came together and made a few plays, and so having fun is all that matters. They are still cheering on themselves, the other team, and just having fun."
At this level, deChamplain said that it's not always the score that matters during a softball game.
"What matters the most is that they are learning, and having fun while they are doing it," she said. "We have not won a game this season, but they have learned some new skills, and have been working together as a team."
DeChamplain said that being part of the team means good sportsmanship, as well as learning the game and its rules.
"I'm proud of the girls for working together as a team," she added.
The girls' next game takes place June 21 out in Barrhead.
DeChamplain mentioned that their team and Barrhead are the only squirts-level girls team in the league.
"That makes the finals much easier for us," she joked. "Just over and done, I'd say."
Athabasca Mites teams continue to play for fun
The two Athabasca Mites teams also had a game happening June 14 at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex, and this time, it was Team Two's time to shine.
Team Two won the game 9-5 over team one. Team Two head coach Ryan Maier said both teams have been really evenly split throughout the year.
"It's always gone back and forth between the two teams," Maier said. "One way or the other, it's not a surprise, because it's always really tight between the two teams."
Maier added the girls really played well during the game.
"They hustled, worked really hard, and it's been a good result," he said. "So, the girls are happy, everybody's happy, and it does not matter if we win or lose the game."
Despite the loss, Team One head coach Jeff Schweer said the team still did pretty well.
"They all had lost of fun," Schweer said. "It was a beautiful night for ball. so you can not really complain about that."
He added the girls get more experience with every game.
"The score does not always give you a good indication of how everything went," Schweer said. "They struggled a little bit on batting, but overall they did pretty darn good."
For next game, Schweer hopes the team can settle in more when they play.
"One can hope they get into that strike zone a little bit better," he said. "And hopefully, they can hammer away on the good pitches coming in."
Each team has one more game to play June 19 before they head to the year-end tournament in Clyde June 23.
Athabasca Team One heads to Barrhead to take on their Team One, while Team Two hosts Barrhead Team Two at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex.
